January 9, 2019: SOAP #3324:  Genesis 23-24; Luke 9

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 9:1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them.” 6 So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere….
10  When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done.

Observation:  Jesus called the apostles together.  Jesus gave them power and authority.  Jesus sent them out to preach the truth of the kingdom and to heal the sick.  Jesus gave them instructions for their journey.  They went out.  They preached the gospel.  They healed people.  Then they returned and reported back to Jesus.

It was HIS plan.  They obeyed HIS directives.  They went out under HIS authority.  They continued HIS ministry.

Application:  In these verses, I see a good plan for my personal ministry.  I must listen to HIM.  I must hear him speak HIS plan.  I must obey HIS directives.  I must move under HIS authority.  I must minister in HIS name.  And I must report back to HIM!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, anoint me to fulfill Jesus’ ministry in the world where I live.  Help me keep Jesus at the center of all I do.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!